If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. That’s the motto of Florida punk rockers New Found Glory. It’s tough for an aging band to stay relevant in the ever-changing music scene, especially when its song-crafting formula is consistently the same. Songs become stale and sound redundant. But New Found Glory keeps releasing music that pleases both old-school and new-school punk fans, taking its signature pop-punk sound and revamping it for a new generation.  

 

Following big pop-punk releases from Blink-182 and Saves the Day earlier this fall, New Found Glory’s seventh studio album, ‘Radiosurgery,’ brims with the same high-energy punk anthems they have been known for since the late ‘90s. The band weaves songs about girlfriends, ex-lovers and best friends throughout the album’s eleven tracks. While singer Jordan Pundik’s shrill whine has lowered an octave since the band’s beginnings, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein channel their inner Ramones on this album and continue to play lead and rhythm in perfect harmony. 

 

The only real flaw on the album is title track and opener ‘Radiosurgery.’ While the guitar riff and chorus will get lodged in your brain, the verse’s lyrics are cliché and dull. Pundik, now in his early 30s, wails: ‘I’m breaking down like a nervous wreck, my heart is beating out of my chest.’ Instantly, the image of a sad teenager comes to mind. The line seems forced and not very believable from someone Pundik’s age. The chorus also lacks the classic New Found Glory lead guitar riff that made songs like ‘My Friends Over You’ and ‘Hit or Miss’ such enormous singles. 

 

After the hiccup of ‘Radiosurgery,’ the album settles down with 10 songs filled with banging snare drums, soaring choruses and palm muted guitars that dampen the sound of the strings. ‘Anthem for the Unwanted’ is quintessential New Found Glory. The three-minute track features distorted power chords and a call and repeat ‘oh, oh, oh’ chorus. ‘Drill it in my Brain’ is the album’s strongest track, with an unforgettable chorus that will have you instantaneously singing along. A powerful guitar riff mixed with well-placed handclaps, pick slides and Pundik’s upbeat wail make it a setlist staple for the future.

 

The band’s pop sensibilities shine in ‘Ready, Aim, Fire!’ and ‘Summer Fling, Don’t Mean a Thing.’ Beautifully crafted pop-punk songs, both tracks are certainly worthy of being the album’s next single. ‘Caught in the Act’ is also a pleasant surprise. It’s the album’s only love song, featuring one of the album’s only lengthy guitar solos with back and forth vocals provided by Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino and Pundik. Cosentino’s sensual voice is a refreshing break from Pundik and the rest of the band’s deep-pitched backing vocals.

 

The album closes strong by showing the painful side of love with ‘Memories and Battle Scars.’ Pundik paints a picture of what someone frantically in love would do to keep their partner: ‘I want to kiss you so hard that your lips bleed /And I want to hold you so tight that your ribs break.’ Album closer ‘Map of Your Body’ most resembles early New Found Glory. Distorted power chords, harmonies and pounding drums dominate the track as Pundik pines over a girl by comparing her to a map as he tries to escape a maze of sorrow. 

 

While ‘Radiosurgery’ does not pack the heavy hitting punch that previous album ‘Not Without a Fight’ did, it is still filled with quality punk riffs and melodies. It’s a purely enjoyable album from one of punk rock’s most consistent bands. New Found Glory’s members continue to show they have the stranglehold on the punk genre, and their longevity attests to that.